EU may take action against France over Roma

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- The European Commission is weighing legal action against France in response to its deportations of Roma Gypsies, news reports said Tuesday. European Union Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called French actions a "disgrace." The EU parliament last week called on France and other member states to halt expulsions of Roma immediately, saying the deportations amounted discrimination on the basis of race. "The commission will have no choice but to initiate infringement procedures against France," Reding told a news conference in Brussels, according to the Associated Press. In Paris, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said Reding's statement was met with "astonishment." "We don't think that this kind of declaration will help improve the predicament of the Roma, who are at the heart of our concerns," Valero said, according to the AFP news agency.

Have breaking news sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Bulletin emails. Sign up here.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.